Relations among and preference, facial asymmetry and ear advantage in young healty subjects

SUMMARY The relations between the hand preference and the facial asymmetry, between hand preference and the ear advantage, and between facial asymmetry and the ear advantage were investigated in young healthy subjects. The ear advantage was determined by duration of hearing and the facial region advantage by computerized tomography in 44 right-handed (22 male, 22 female) and 38 left-handed (17 male, 21 female) collage students. Right-handers had a right ear advantage and a left facial region advantage, whereas left-handers had a left ear advantage and a right facial region advantage. There was remarkable inverse Pearson correlations between hand preference and the difference of facial region, and the facial region advantage. There was also a remarkable positive Pearson correlations between hand preference and the difference of hearing duration, and ear advantage. Both the difference of facial region and the facial region advantage had significant inverse Pearson correlations with the difference of hearing duration and the ear advantage. The right, left and total facial regions were wider in the males than in females. The left facial region was wider in the right-handers than in the left-handers. In females, the left and total facial regions were wider in the female right handers than in the female left-handers. The hearing durations of the right and left ears were longer in the males than in females. The hearing duration for right ear was longer in the right-handers than in the left-handers. The hearing duration for right ear was longer in the male and female right-handers than in the male and female left-handers, respectively. These results suggest that hand preference may be related to facial and consequently aural asymmetries.